Understanding W-4 and I-9 forms

First things first, let's get to know these forms. The W-4 form, also known as the Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold from your paychecks.

On the other hand, the I-9 form, or the Employment Eligibility Verification, confirms that you're legally allowed to work in the U.S.

When filling out a W-4 form, there are a few important components to consider.

Step $1$‍ just asks for your name, address, and Social Security number, you'll need to indicate your "Filing Status." You'll choose whether you're single, married, or head of household. This determines how much tax will be withheld from your paycheck.

Next, you'll come across the "Dependents" field. If you have children or other , you'll include them on the form. The more dependents you have, the less tax is generally taken out of your check.

The next section is optional but it addresses any additional withholding you would like to make.

If you have any questions or need help with filling out the form, reach out to your HR department. They can provide guidance and help ensure that you complete the form correctly.

Remember, the information you provide on this form determines the amount of tax your employer will withhold from your paycheck. It's important to fill it out as accurately as possible.

The I-9 form is like a gatekeeper for starting a new job in the U.S. Its main task is to make sure you are who you say you are (proof of identity) and that you're allowed to work in the country (proof of employment eligibility). The form itself is very short, but the important part of it are copies of documents that prove your identity and work eligibility.

To prove who you are (your identity), you need a document with your photo and important details like full name, birthday, and signature. Your driver's license, ID card from your state, or a military ID card all work for this. But remember, things like your library card, credit card, or social security card can't prove identity because they either don't have a photo, are not official government issued, or miss out some other important detail.

When you're proving that you're allowed to work in the U.S. (your work eligibility), you need different documents. Useful ones could be your social security card, your birth certificate if you were born in the U.S., or your resident alien card if you weren’t. Foreign passports, driver's licenses, or general ID cards can't be used for this because they don't say you're allowed to work in the U.S.

If you're not a U.S. citizen, documents like a Green Card, a work authorization card, or a foreign passport with a work permit attached prove you're allowed to work.

One document that proves both identity and work eligibility is your US passport. It's got your photo and other key details to confirm your identity. Plus, only U.S. citizens can own one, so it's clear proof that you're authorized to work in the U.S. too.

Unfortunately, it's easy to make mistakes when filling out these forms. Simple errors, such as entering incorrect Social Security details on your W-4 or not signing the I-9 form, may cause issues down the road. Be diligent when filling out these forms and proofread for mistakes to avoid any potential headaches.

Also, remember to update your W-4 form any time your family situation changes, like getting married or divorced, or changing the number of dependents, like birth of a child.

If you frequently owe taxes when you file your tax return, the issue may be on your W-4 form., so look it over and make sure it correctly represents your current situation.